The poor condition of the Margao wholesale fish market has raised questions over its upkeep and maintenance. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The promise by South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) chairman Krishna Salkar to commission the wholesale fish market in the New Year has brought some hope for fish traders and other stakeholders.
However, the SGPDA faces a major challenge before the market is formally opened ” cleaning up the present mess inside and outside the existing wholesale fish market, likely till January or February.
At present, the drains around the market are clogged with waste such as plastic bags, cups and other litter. Thick black water is flowing through these drains and finally enters the nearby River Sal. The drains are completely choked, raising serious concerns about the upkeep and maintenance of the market.
The SGPDA chairman has said that the delay in commissioning the redeveloped wholesale fish market is due to the delay in finalising a contractor for its upkeep and maintenance after the inauguration. However, questions are being raised over why the authority did not appoint a maintenance contractor over the past one year, especially when the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) completed work on the redeveloped market around January last year.
A visit to the wholesale fish market showed a pathetic condition of the drains and gutters. Many were found blocked with plastic waste, while others were filled with stagnant water, clearly pointing to poor maintenance of the existing market.
